Police arrested a suspect who they say shot at a West Melbourne police officer Monday night during an attempted traffic stop and charged him with attempted murder.

The suspect, identified as Joseph Alan Bellinger, 27, was allegedly speeding along Sheridan Road about 9:30 p.m. Monday and fired about a dozen shots at the officer who was trying to pull him over for speeding, according to police.

Police arrested Bellinger on Tuesday night. The charges include attempted murder, discharging a firearm in public, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and fleeing and eluding a police officer.

Capt. Richard Cordeau of the West Melbourne Police Department held a press conference early Tuesday about the shooting incident. When the officer flashed his emergency lights to pull over the suspect, “the driver then fired multiple shots at the officer,” he said. Moments later the officer attempted to get tag information when the second volley of shots erupted from the white vehicle. “The officer was not injured and his vehicle was not struck. The officer was not able to return fire.”

"West Melbourne Police Detectives have been working around the clock since this incident occurred. After conducting multiple interviews, executing search warrants, and examining physical evidence, detectives developed probable cause for the arrest of Joseph Alan Bellinger. Information was received that Bellinger was in a residence at 180 District St SE in the City of Palm Bay. Detectives with the West Melbourne Police Department and Palm Bay Police Department’s Special Investigations Division maintained surveillance most of the day while probable cause was established.

An arrest warrant was issued, charging Bellinger with attempted felony murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, and discharging a firearm in public. West Melbourne Police partnered with the Palm Bay Police Department’s SWAT Team to serve a search warrant at 180 District St SE to affect Bellinger’s arrest. Bellinger was taken into custody without incident.

Bellinger will be incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail with no bond. He will go before a judge tomorrow at 1:15 pm. Additional charges are pending.

There is no reason to believe Amanda Peacock was involved. She has cooperated with investigators."